Excage: synthesis of viologen-like pyridinium-based cages for the selective capture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Abstract

Compounds are provided for the capture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The compound is selected from formula (I) and formula (II): The compound includes a salt formed with a suitable counter anion.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A compound salt of formula (I): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       and PF 6   − . 
     
     
       2. A separation medium consisting of the compound salt according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       3. A method of separating a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compound from a solvent comprising the PAH compound, comprising:
 contacting the solvent comprising the PAH compound with a compound salt of formula (I): 
 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       and PF 6   − . 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the solvent is selected from an aqueous or organic solvent. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the PAH compound consists of a planar PAH compound. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the PAH compound is naphthalene.